Grounds Associate, Obama Presidential Center

At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, we’re building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities - coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more - that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.

Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values - Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.

We are deeply committed to creating an actively anti‑racist organization, leveraging our global reach to combat systemic racism and inequity wherever it exists. Read our full statement on anti‑racism and equity here.

The Grounds Associate supports the daily care, cleanliness, and presentation of the Obama Presidential Center’s outdoor spaces. This role helps ensure that the campus grounds are safe, welcoming, and maintained to the Foundation’s operational, sustainability, and visitor‑experience standards. Associates work collaboratively with internal teams and contracted partners to keep the campus looking and performing its best.

• Perform routine groundskeeping tasks across lawns, beds, pathways, and public areas to uphold OPC appearance and maintenance standards.
• Manage waste, recycling, and compost systems in collaboration with contracted vendors.
• Maintain working knowledge of mechanized equipment to operate in a safe and efficient manner during groundskeeping tasks.
• Maintain irrigation systems, lagoon, and other water elements on campus, in collaboration with external contractors.
• Maintain and organize site tools and equipment, assisting Grounds Supervisor with inventory assessment as needed.
• Assist with snow and ice response on walkways and key access areas, including applying de‑icing materials and supporting contracted snow services.
• Participate in regular training sessions to uphold industry standards and OPC certifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Operate equipment to perform fertilizing, landscaping, and snow or ice removal according to OPC sustainability standards.
• Weed turf, ground cover, and flowerbeds; prune trees and shrubs.
• Mow and trim grasses, rake and remove leaves, inspect areas to keep free of trash and debris.
• Perform landscape renovation such as seeding, sodding, mulch installation, and small tree removal.
• Remove snow and apply anti‑icing agency on walks, drives, parking lots, steps and building entrances.
• Wear and utilize required safety equipment in accordance with OPC policies.
• Use digital tools to enter, track, and review work orders and other job‑related information.

• Applies specialized knowledge of professional function to independently complete routine tasks and resolve issues involving relatively complex factors.
• Exhibits working proficiency in primary/routine duties of professional area; utilizes discretion and independent judgment to solve non‑routine problems.
• Candidates typically have, though not required, a post‑secondary degree (or equivalent relevant work experience/training) and at least 2 years of relevant professional experience.

The pay rate for this role is $24.50/hour.

This is a full‑time, in‑person role based at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities — such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color — are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about…